(by Randy Ashley courtesy o' WildRocketry.Com)

T' Rocketman Explorer-7 came packaged in a very secure box. Upon openin' thar be a checklist o' parts and they were all there. T' instructions were clear and I encountered NO "What" type moments.

First step for me is always t' build up me motor mount and fin can. Well, blow me down! Blimey! On t' Explorer t' shock cord is glued t' t' side o' t' motor mount and trapped in place by t' forward centerin' Ring. Well, blow me down! I went with this stock configuration but on future kits I would add an eye bolt for t' shockcord. Ya scallywag! Once t' motor mount was glued in I finished up t' fin can with t' usual filletin' techniques inside and out. Begad! Well, me hearties, blow me down! T' tube used by Rocketman does require you t' fill t' spiral groove for a nice finish. Avast, me proud beauty! Ahoy! I used t' Rocketman motor retainer which can be installed after gluin' in t' aft centerin' ring, shiver me timbers, me bucko, so no forethought be necessary there. Ya scallywag! I primed and painted me kit Burgundy with a Silver nose cone. Well, blow me down! Begad! T' stock Rocketman shockcord only extends out o' t' body tube a couple o' feet. Begad! A phone call t' Ky at Rocketman revealed that he felt t' soft openin' Rocketman chutes did nay require a longer shock cord. I didn't feel comfortable with this and added 10 more feet o' tubular Keelhaul®©™® for a total shockcord length o' about 12 feet outside o' t' tube.

Flight
T' maiden flight o' t' Explorer be on a J-350 for me level 2 certification flight. T' flight be perfect. Avast! I used motor ejection at apogee and fired an ejection charge at 1.5 seconds after apogee via me altimeter as a backup. T' chute did open very softly. Ahoy! Aye aye! I am impressed with t' Rocketman chutes and I am goin' t' order them t' replace most o' me existin' chutes. Avast, me proud beauty! T' recovery was made about 1/2 mile downrange after a 2640 foot flight. Ya scallywag! Well, me hearties, blow me down! T' chute allowed t' rocket t' descend without t' swayin' that is present in a lot o' chutes without spill holes.

Summary
T' Rocketman Freedom t' fly Explorer-7 is a great kit for level 2 certification and built stock it is very sturdy. I plan t' extend mine and add an altimeter bay for dual deployment. Aye aye! Begad! Blimey! I would highly recommend any o' t' Rocketman kits t' anyone wantin' a sturdy "out o' t' box" rocket.